The LSI SAS 3008 is the controller chip behind adapters such as the LSI SAS 9300-8i. The 9300-8i is an eight-port host bus adapter (HBA) with 12Gb/s SAS links, a PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface, and support for SAS and SATA storage. Its firmware determines whether drives are presented directly to the operating system or can use the card’s limited integrated RAID modes.
What is an LSI SAS 3008 controller?
LSI SAS 3008 refers to the controller chip, not one specific adapter card. A common implementation is the LSI SAS 9300-8i, an internal HBA designed to connect server or workstation storage directly to a host system. The 9300-8i guide describes it as based on the Fusion-MPT-architected SAS 3008 controller, combining PCIe 3.0 and 12Gb/s SAS technology (Avago Technologies, LSI SAS 9300-8i Host Bus Adapter User Guide, March 2015).
9300-8i specifications
| Specification | LSI SAS 9300-8i |
|---|---|
| Controller | LSI SAS 3008 |
| Host interface | PCIe 3.0 x8; the 2015 guide lists up to 64Gb/s single-direction and 128Gb/s dual-direction PCIe performance |
| Storage link rates | SAS: 3Gb/s, 6Gb/s, or 12Gb/s; SATA: 3Gb/s or 6Gb/s |
| Internal ports and connectors | Eight SAS/SATA ports via two SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD connectors |
| Maximum end devices | Up to 1,024 SATA or SAS devices, subject to expanders, backplanes, cabling, and platform limits |
| Operating-system families listed | Windows, Linux, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, VMware, and Solaris |
The guide also publishes SAS-3 wide-port throughput figures of 4,800 MB/s half-duplex and 9,600 MB/s full-duplex. These are interface figures, not a promise that a particular set of drives or a host system will deliver that performance.
Does the 9300-8i provide 12Gb/s SAS and support SATA drives?
Yes. The adapter supports SAS links up to 12Gb/s per link and SATA links up to 6Gb/s, according to the 2015 product guide. A SATA drive can connect through a compatible SAS backplane or cable arrangement, but SATA devices operate at their supported SATA rates; the 12Gb/s SAS rating does not make a SATA drive run at 12Gb/s.
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- Compatible with: LSI 9300-8i & 9211-8i; Controller: Broadcom/LSI SAS3008 (12Gb/s SAS3, 8-port)
- Firmware (FW): HBA IT Mode (Non-RAID); Data Transfer Rate: up to 12Gbps SAS, SATA 6Gbps
- Host Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8; Internal Connectors: 2× Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643. --Direct attach up to 8 drives, and expand via external SAS Expander for large arrays
- PERFECT FOR: ZFS, FreeNAS/TrueNAS, unRAID, Proxmox, ESXi home-lab & NAS storage
- Packing List: HBA Card: 1; SFF-8643 to 4× SATA Cables: 2. Cables in box are for SATA drives. --They are not compatible with SAS drives. To connect SAS drives, use SFF-8643 to SFF-8482 cables (sold separately) or our matched HBA + cable kit
Whether a given drive configuration works also depends on the host’s PCIe slot, power and cooling, cabling, enclosure or backplane, expander behavior, and operating-system driver support.
Which cable does an LSI 9300-8i use?
The internal 9300-8i uses two SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD connectors. Choose a cable with an SFF-8643 end that matches the card and an end compatible with the target backplane or drive arrangement. The cable must match both the connector and the intended internal connection.
Rank #2
- Compatible with: LSI 9300-8i; Controller: LSI/Broadcom SAS3008 (12Gb/s SAS)
- Firmware (FW): HBA IT Mode (Non-RAID); Data Transfer Rate: up to 12Gbps SAS, SATA 6Gbps
- Host Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8; Internal Connectors: 2× Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643. --Direct attach up to 8 drives, and expand via external SAS Expander for large arrays
- PERFECT FOR: ZFS, FreeNAS/TrueNAS, unRAID, Proxmox, ESXi home-lab & NAS storage
- Packing List: HBA Card ×1; 2× SFF-8643 to 4× SATA cables (8× SATA ends). --Cables in box are for SATA drives. They are not compatible with SAS drives. To connect SAS drives, use SFF-8643 to 8482 SAS cables (sold separately) or our matched HBA + cable kit.
The external 9300-8e is a different model and uses SFF-8644 connectors. An 8i internal cabling arrangement is not interchangeable with the 8e external one. Check the card’s exact model and the enclosure or backplane connector before choosing a cable (9300-8i User Guide).
Should you use IT or IR firmware?
Choose firmware based on how you want the operating system to see storage. IT firmware is generally used for HBA/JBOD presentation, where drives are exposed individually for a software storage stack such as ZFS. IR firmware enables selected integrated RAID modes. Broadcom’s support matrix lists JBOD and selected RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 1E, and RAID 10E support for the 9300-8I when the required firmware is loaded (Broadcom RAID/JBOD support matrix).
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Rank #3
- Chipset: LSI SAS3008
- Firmware (FW) version: P16 (16.00.14.00) IT Mode
- Interface: 2 * SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps, PCI-e 3.0 x8
- Package: controller card, full-height bracket, low-profile bracket
Do not assume that every SAS 3008 card has the same firmware or modes. Confirm the exact adapter model and firmware package, and protect or back up data before changing firmware. Firmware behavior depends on the model and package.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How many drives can a SAS 3008 system connect?
The 9300-8i guide specifies up to 1,024 SATA or SAS end devices. That is a documented maximum, not a direct-drive count from the card’s eight ports. Reaching a high device count requires suitable expanders and backplanes, compatible cabling, and a platform and software stack that support the configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ENTERPRISE RAID CONTROLLER – Professional-grade PCIe RAID controller designed for managing multiple SAS or SATA hard drives and SSDs
- INCLUDES MINI-SAS BREAKOUT CABLES – Comes with high-quality Mini-SAS to SATA breakout cables for easy drive connectivity
- HIGH-SPEED PCIe PERFORMANCE – PCI Express interface ensures fast data transfer rates and stable operation in demanding environments
- HARDWARE RAID SUPPORT – Supports multiple RAID configurations (RAID levels depend on controller model) for data protection and performance
- IDEAL FOR SERVERS & NAS – Perfect for servers, NAS systems, virtualization setups, and data storage expansions
What to check before using or buying a 9300-8i
- Exact model: Confirm whether the adapter is a 9300-8i internal card or a different model such as the external 9300-8e.
- Connectors and cables: Match SFF-8643 for the 8i card and SFF-8644 for the 8e model to the enclosure or backplane.
- Firmware: Verify the loaded firmware and the operating mode you need, especially if you expect individual-drive/JBOD presentation or integrated RAID.
- Host fit: Check PCIe slot availability, card bracket, airflow, power, drive enclosure, and operating-system drivers.
- Seller and condition: Marketplace listings can vary in firmware state and bracket type; the product guide does not establish current prices or seller authenticity.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
